Baltimore Braces for Weather Whiplash: Rain, Wind, and Temperature Drop Forecasted Ahead of Thanksgiving

Baltimore residents should brace themselves for a range of weather conditions over the next few days, with a forecast that promises rain, wind, and a sharp dip in temperatures. According to the National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC, a low-pressure system heading towards the Great Lakes will usher in a strong cold front on Wednesday afternoon, preceding a return of high pressure by the end of the week.

The NWS describes today's weather as an onset of rain in the early hours, which will quickly overspread the area after daybreak today, exiting to the east early in the evening. Following the rain, the Baltimore area might experience a lull in precipitation, but the showers are expected to persist through the night, especially across the Alleghenies, northern MD, and east of I-95, with the potential for thunder east of the I-95. The region will see temperatures linger around the 60s in the morning before beginning to fall in the afternoon following the frontal passage, according to a forecast weather report.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the weather is expected to turn blustery with gusty WNW winds anywhere between 15 to 30 mph, depending on the height of the mixing layer, says the National Weather Service. Residents should anticipate strong winds persisting from Wednesday night into the weekend, with advisory-level gusts possible in higher elevations.

Moving into the long-term outlook, a deep upper trough along the east coast will push to the east Saturday, allowing surface high pressure to finally build overhead, the National Weather Service predicts. This change in the weather pattern signifies a continuation of gusty winds into Friday, but winds are expected to subside by Friday night, leading into a colder but calmer weekend. There's a forecasted low-pressure system that could affect the area with increased precipitation chances from Sunday into Monday, potentially bringing mild conditions with a chance for wintry precipitation, especially in the mountains, if the precipitation starts early on Sunday.

For aviators, the NWS anticipates some challenges as cigs will drop to MVFR tonight, possibly IFR/LIFR, due to rain and thunderstorms coupled with low-level wind shear from stronger winds aloft. Pilots will face continued blustery conditions through Thanksgiving, complicating air travel. Similarly, mariners are advised to be cautious as there's a possibility of Small Craft Advisory conditions this afternoon and into the night. More specifically, strong SCA conditions are expected Wednesday afternoon through the end of the week in a strong cold air advection pattern for the waters, with gales possible on Friday.